Sports

Isaiah was forced to guard someone relevant against the Washington Wizards, facing a lethal backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal, and Wall and Beal went off in the series . The way Al Horford was hyped up was reminiscent of the many times former Boston Celtics great Kevin Garnett showed such passion after a big win.

Overall, James and Irving outscored the Celtics 60-50 after Boston took its largest lead of the game with 5:30 left in the first half. "It's great to be one of the last two teams standing, we'll see how it goes", said Kevin Durant, who had 29 points and 12 rebounds.

The parachute payments will only go so far as clubs try to rebuild and keep hold of as many of their players as possible to make a swift return. "It is great to win after the last win with Claudio [Ranieri]". "This league is very tough", he added. We won the league with 30 wins. But this season wasn't easy. Pedro scored as a substitute, so did striker Batshuayi, who now has four goals in three games, including the title-clinching strike at West Brom.

The England global finished the campaign with 22 goals for Spurs in all competitions - yet before the 2-1 win over Burnley on December 18 he had found the target only four times in 21 matches. "I think that type of player can make a huge difference for Tottenham, especially at Champions League level, when you need that experienced player who can make the difference".

The 26-year-old has been consistently linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent months and it now seems there could be some substance to the speculation. But then Ajax have the exuberance of youth to go with the fact that they can go into this final with the "nothing to lose, since everyone expects us to finish second best anyway" feeling.

Winning a trophy for the first time in his career since joining Chelsea , the Nigeria global was at his usual best as Chelsea rounded off the league season in style; defeating already relegated Sunderland 5-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.